113 A Modern Hymn Tells All

This morning in the informal 8:30 service, we sang the very beautiful and to the point, modern chorus-hymn, “Before the Throne of God” by Charitie Lees Bancroft and Vicki Cook (PDI, 1997). If you think only the old hymns tell the Good News, treat yourself to the words of this one.

There are three verses and three choruses. All are outstanding and each builds on the other. Chorus 2 puts the Gospel in three simple lines, better than some 20 minute, beat around-the-Bible bush, sermons I’ve heard:

Because the sinless Saviour died,
my sinful soul is counted free;
For God, the Just, is satisfied
to look on him and pardon me.
to look on him and pardon me.

Preachers, pastors, priests, and parishioners! How hard can it be to announce the Good News that our sins are forgiven because of what Jesus Christ did on the Cross, not because of what we do!

Is it that sin part of the equation? Afraid if you tell someone that a Just God required someone had to pay, it would be offensive to our modern ears? What’s the worst that could happen? Would they withhold $5 from the collection plate; not show up next Sunday? What’s the best thing? They might believe you and receive eternal life!

If your best shot is, “God loves you and wants to be a part of your life,” or “get involved here and we’ll tell you more, slow and easy,” then you’re definitely not doing the congregation or the visitors any favors. They’ll go home burdened by the Law because they really do know they are sinful (i.e., depressed, stressed, angry, fearful, lustful, cheating, adulterous, gossipy--it’s a long list) and are seeking a solution. Home to look in the job-jar for something to do to please a Holy God because you were afraid to tell the Good News that it has all been taken care of.